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2003 Chevrolet Avalanche 1500 Problems and Recalls
Owners filed 182 complaints with NHTSA about the 2003 Chevrolet Avalanche 1500, most often about the electrical (46% of complaints, typically around 85,000 miles). It is the most complained-about Avalanche 1500 model year since 2000.
Most common 2003 Chevrolet Avalanche 1500 problems
Electrical
84 complaints · 46%Half of these problems showed up before 85,000 miles. Parts named most often: instrument cluster/panel.
The speedometer on my 2003 avalanche went out. It registers up to 120 MPH sitting still. The tachometer recently went out, also. Very dangerous for my wife (who drives the vehicle) and my children. I have seen hundreds of similar complaints on the internet. Why is there no recall?
All of a sudden I realize that my speedometer is not working and other gauges on my panel are not working correctly. I can not understand why there are only complaints and no defect investigations on this website. Since this is a safety issue I would have though there to be more of a concern. Thus we question why…
Brakes
53 complaints · 29%Half of these problems showed up before 105,000 miles. Parts named most often: foundation components, antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip.
The contact owns a 2003 Chevrolet Avalanche 1500. The contact stated that while driving approximately 40 MPH, he depressed the brakes and the brake pedal traveled to the floor board. The contact inspected the vehicle and noticed that the brake lines were corroded and fractured. The vehicle was not repaired. The…
Driving home the brakes went to floor when stopping. Break fluid was everywhere. Front brake line broke. All brake lines extremely rusty and need replaced. Live in north carolina very little salt on roads.
Air bags
12 complaints · 7%Half of these problems showed up before 78,000 miles.
Key ignition switch is loose and car will shut off while operating, key can be pulled out of ignition while running. If vehicle shuts off while operating then you loose control of brakes, steering, and electrical systems. Gm is denying there is a problem. My vehicle is proof that the problem exists and the chevy…
On occasion the airbag warning light would come on, usually while driving. On subsequent starts, no light was displayed. Eventually the light would stay on for several days. I assumed this was a manufacturer initiated alert to have the airbags checked after 100,000 miles. When I next brought my vehicle in for an oil…
Speed control
11 complaints · 6%Half of these problems showed up before 101,500 miles.
Engine light and reduce engine power and start loosing speed. After turned off for a few minutes work fine. This year in an hour ride have to stop at least 20 times. Computer codes stated need to change throttle body. Last week I change it and again the same problem.
Last year in my 2003 avalanche I was cruising on an interstate highway and I noticed my speedometer start to move backwards until it read about 25 MPH, however, I wasn't slowing down. It was very concerning to me, so I first pulled over to look under the hood, but I found nothing. Currently the speedo does not operate…
Steering
9 complaints · 5%Half of these problems showed up before 60,000 miles. Parts named most often: linkages.
Turning at low speeds power steering pump stops working at low sped. No apparent problems w/ the pump no loose belt. Need to rev to 1500 RPM to get the power steering to work. Seams to work ok when it is cold problem starts when veh.. Is warmed up. Repair has not been made yet.
The contact owns a 2003 Chevrolet Avalanche 1500. The contact stated that when driving various speeds, a knocking noise was heard from under the hood. The vehicle was taken to the dealer for inspection where they advised the contact that the steering shaft needed to be replaced.the vehicle was repaired. The…
Body and structure
8 complaints · 4%Half of these problems showed up before 109,000 miles. Parts named most often: body, frame and members.
Speedometergauge stoop working along with the oil pressure gauge tailgate caused a one [] to rupture the tendants in his left knee due to the malfunctioning of the cable straps that hold the tailgate. Information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(b)(6).â
The vehicle was stopped at a 2-way stop. Upon turning right, my foot went from the brake to the gas pedal and got hooked on a piece of metal extending from the arm of the accelerator. This caused my foot to be trapped below the brake pedal but attached to the gas pedal. The vehicle spun back and forth while trying to…
Other or unspecified
7 complaints · 4%Dashboard above radio cracked regardless if excellent care if car and sun protection. Under mirror back to air vents and spreading across other mid section. Out of warranty. Out of luck! Not good since have had many other vehicles that didn't crack under same conditions.
When you hit a bump the door locks unlock and lock ABS lights come on says reduced power you maybe going 55 MPH then when you hit the bump you loose power maybe be lucky to go 5 MPH very very dangerous have spent a lot of money trying to figure out the problem should be a recall with all the complaints I have seen…
Visibility and wipers
5 complaints · 3%Parts named most often: windshield wiper/washer.
Tl contact owns a 2003 chevy avalanche. While driving 40 MPH or greater he would have to depress the brake pedal to the floorboard to stop, which increased the vehicle stopping distance. The dealer was unable to diagnose the failure. The contact also stated that there was a flapping noise coming from the windshield…
I have a 2003 chevy avalanche and the back window is crack when I talked to gm they said that it was out of warranty and would not do anything.
Complaints are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. One complaint can name several components, so shares add up to more than 100%.
2003 Chevrolet Avalanche 1500 recalls
NHTSA lists no recalls for this model year.
Recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which recalls are still open on your car.
NHTSA defect investigations
Brake line corrosion failure
Summary
On january 11, 2011, odi opened ea11-001 to investigate allegations of premature brake line corrosion failure in model year (my) 1999 through 2003 general motors (gm) full-size pickup trucks and sport utility vehicles sold or registered in the following region of the united states that NHTSA has viewed as salt states for investigations of corrosion related issues:connecticut, delaware, district of columbia, illinois, indiana, iowa, maine, maryland, massachusetts, michigan, minnesota, missouri, new hampshire, new jersey, new york, ohio, pennsylvania, rhode island, vermont, west virginia and wisconsin.the subject vehicles represent the first five my's of gm's gmt800 platform production, of whi
Questions about the 2003 Chevrolet Avalanche 1500
- What are the most common problems with the 2003 Chevrolet Avalanche 1500?
- By NHTSA owner complaints: electrical (84 complaints, typically around 85,000 miles); brakes (53 complaints, typically around 105,000 miles); air bags (12 complaints, typically around 78,000 miles).
- How many recalls does the 2003 Chevrolet Avalanche 1500 have?
- NHTSA lists no recalls for the 2003 Chevrolet Avalanche 1500. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls in case one is issued later.
- Is the 2003 a bad year for the Chevrolet Avalanche 1500?
- It is the most complained-about Avalanche 1500 model year since 2000, with 182 complaints. Complaint counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold, so popular years collect more of them, and the newest years have had less time to.